Man, 21, sentenced to prison in 2012 murder case

In this March 14, 2012 file photo, Kenard Singh walks out of the Ocala Police Department in handcuffs with major crimes detective Mike Hilton. He has been sentenced to 21 years in prison in connection with the slaying of Douglas Edward Tripp last year.

Published: Tuesday, April 2, 2013 at 4:35 p.m.

Last Modified: Tuesday, April 2, 2013 at 4:35 p.m.

OCALA – A man accused in the March 2012 shooting death of another man has been sentenced to 21 years in prison.

Marion County Court records show Kenard Naryan Singh, 21, entered a plea of guilty and was sentenced by Judge Brian D. Lambert on a charge of principal to murder in the second degree in the death of Douglas Tripp, 55.

Two other charges against Singh, attempted home invasion robbery and conspiracy to commit home invasion robbery, were dropped by the State Attorney's Office. Singh's sentence was announced late last month. He received 384 days for credit time served and has to pay a $5,000 fine.

Documents indicate Singh will remain at the Marion County Jail until the conclusion of cases involving his co-defendant, Brenton Crabtree.

Keith Crabtree, the brother of Brenton, and an unnamed man, also were said to be involved in the case, according to reports, but neither man has been charged.

Tripp was found dead of multiple gunshot wounds on March 9, 2012. The body was found by a neighbor.

Singh told police he had been approached by two men trying to find a gun to use in a planned robbery at Tripp's home and that a fourth man provided the gun.

According to reports, the four met at Singh's home and went to Tripp's residence. Singh said he and Brenton Crabtree tried to lure Tripp out of his home by making noises. Tripp did not come outside, so he and Crabtree tried the back door, which was locked. Singh said Crabtree fired several shots at Tripp through the kitchen window and he saw the man fall to the floor. Singh said they walked away and were later picked up by Keith Crabtree and the other man.

Brenton Crabtree, now 19, was charged with the first-degree murder of Tripp and has a hearing scheduled for May 3. He previously pleaded guilty to firearm possession and carrying a concealed weapon and was sentenced last October to eight years in prison.

While he was incarcerated in the Marion County Jail, Crabtree also was accused of taking part in the beating of a fellow inmate in May 2012 and was charged with battery. That case is still pending.

<p>OCALA – A man accused in the March 2012 shooting death of another man has been sentenced to 21 years in prison.</p><p>Marion County Court records show Kenard Naryan Singh, 21, entered a plea of guilty and was sentenced by Judge Brian D. Lambert on a charge of principal to murder in the second degree in the death of Douglas Tripp, 55.</p><p>Two other charges against Singh, attempted home invasion robbery and conspiracy to commit home invasion robbery, were dropped by the State Attorney's Office. Singh's sentence was announced late last month. He received 384 days for credit time served and has to pay a $5,000 fine.</p><p>Documents indicate Singh will remain at the Marion County Jail until the conclusion of cases involving his co-defendant, Brenton Crabtree.</p><p>Keith Crabtree, the brother of Brenton, and an unnamed man, also were said to be involved in the case, according to reports, but neither man has been charged.</p><p>Tripp was found dead of multiple gunshot wounds on March 9, 2012. The body was found by a neighbor. </p><p>Singh told police he had been approached by two men trying to find a gun to use in a planned robbery at Tripp's home and that a fourth man provided the gun.</p><p>According to reports, the four met at Singh's home and went to Tripp's residence. Singh said he and Brenton Crabtree tried to lure Tripp out of his home by making noises. Tripp did not come outside, so he and Crabtree tried the back door, which was locked. Singh said Crabtree fired several shots at Tripp through the kitchen window and he saw the man fall to the floor. Singh said they walked away and were later picked up by Keith Crabtree and the other man.</p><p>Brenton Crabtree, now 19, was charged with the first-degree murder of Tripp and has a hearing scheduled for May 3. He previously pleaded guilty to firearm possession and carrying a concealed weapon and was sentenced last October to eight years in prison.</p><p>While he was incarcerated in the Marion County Jail, Crabtree also was accused of taking part in the beating of a fellow inmate in May 2012 and was charged with battery. That case is still pending. </p><p><i>Contact Austin L. Miller at 867-4118 or austin.miller@starbanner.com.</i></p>